South Yorkshire Times, 6th of April, 1946.
Midland League.
And Again! – Denaby Win in a Canter.
Denaby United 4, Rotherham Res. 1
Another story of victory! Denaby took their seventh point from four successive games by beating Rotherham Reserves at Tickhill Square last week-end, and they emphasised their jubilation by a decisive margin. But for snatches of bad luck the score might have been six-three. I can remember at least four goals that should have been ‘sitters’ – but, however so, Denaby would have won handsomely. Key to their success was the same as that in their matches with Ransomes and Shrewsbury – a great half-back line, sound in defence and a delight in goal-making. Wheat played another masterly dual role as defender and schemer, Fisher, at centre-half, almost completely negatived Rotherham’s lively centre-forward. Bramham, and Turner played a quietly effective part against all Rotherham’s onslaughts.
They were legion in the first half-hour. Denaby got off to a very shaky start, but the defence played particularly well during this period and Rotherham’s forwards were storming in all but their shooting. Where the defence was beaten down, Uren, as ever, was sure-footed.
Two Open Goals.
The first goal came after 35 minutes, and after Denaby had missed a couple of open goals in very quick succession. It followed a throw-in just below the corner flag. Turner threw in to Vickers who pushed the ball goalwards. Gibson saved at full length but failed to hold the ball and SAXTON followed through to push it into the net. There was no further score until the first minute of the second half, and perhaps MOSELEY, who scored, was the most surprised of all. Strachan put in a beautiful centre which Moore cleared almost on the goal line. Moseley trapped the clearance way out on the left wing and took a pot shot goalwards. Gibson, in the Rotherham goal, certainly did not expect what followed. The ball swerved in its flight, hit the upright, and instead of bouncing out, rebounded in. And that was number two!
In the next minute Saxton netted and was ruled offside, but after eight minutes in this half HERBERTS made it three with one of the best cross shots of the match. FORD got Rotherham’s only goal three minutes later and Saxton should have had another for Denaby long before he did score (in the 18th minute). It was a lovely movement. Stratchan took a centre and put the ball in beautifully – one instance of many on Saturday – the ball was cleared, Moseley got possession and pushed it back to Stratchan who this time worked it well in before centring again. SAXTON met it beautifully with his head and nodded it well out of Gibson’s reach. After 23 minutes, only Whitham, on the goal line, saved the Rotherham goal again. Rotherham were always lively, but their finishing lacked sparkle; they had method but never effectively evaded Denaby’s defence. Saxton was a lively leader for Denaby and was never subdued.